The Girlfriend That Shouldn't Exist

Meisei University was not just a good university.

She was, officially, one of the top three in Tokyo.

And, unfortunately for me, that was exactly where I was studying.

My name is Aoyama. Riku , I'm 21 years old and I'm a student at Meisei .

So far, so normal.

The problem is everything else.

I'm a famous up-and-coming actor, known nationally for romantic dramas and commercials that air at virtually every possible time slot.

On television, I smile naturally.

In real life... I just wanted to have lunch on campus without being looked at like an exotic animal.

My parents aren't helping either.

My father, Aoyama Shin is a successful businessman. Cold, calculating… but, in his own way, he loves me.

My mother, Aoyama Ayane is a former actress —and a woman with a tongue sharp enough to cut steel. Furthermore, she's frighteningly perceptive.

At university, at least, I had two refuges:

Miyazaki Haruto and Shibasaki Kenta .

The three of us were talking about anime, manga , and of course… girls.

Or rather: they were talking. I pretended everything was normal.

It was Sunday morning, and the atmosphere in my house was strange.

Tonight, we were expecting an important guest for dinner:

Midorikawa Hirotsu , a famous former director who worked with my mother when she was 24 years old.

At that moment, I was in my room, sitting on my bed, while my mother stared at me with a smile too dangerous to ignore.

"This director is very good," said Ayane , crossing her arms.

"I spoke to him about you starring in a famous play that his granddaughter is producing," she continued.

Of course he talked to them.

"And what did he ask for in return?" I asked bluntly.

My mother blinked a few times, clearly trying to hide it.

"What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe he saw the plays you made... besides, we're good friends. It could have been a bit of both," my mother said , trying to cover up.

I stared at her.

"I know it's not just that," I said.

The bedroom door opened.

My father entered with his silent and intimidating presence.

"He wants you to date his granddaughter," she said . Shin , without beating around the bush.

"It seems she knew you from high school," he explained.

(So that's it... An arranged relationship. Right now.) — I thought.

"Unfortunately, I'm already dating someone," I said quickly.

My father's gaze became... dangerous.

"Stop this nonsense," he said .

Hirotsu 's granddaughter wants you at any cost," he continued.

That's when my mother smiled.

That smile was too mischievous for a situation like this.

"Honey, since he says he has a girlfriend... why doesn't he bring her to dinner tonight?" Ayane said, tilting her head.

My stomach sank.

"Do you understand the gravity of what you're saying? This could damage our relationship with Hirotsu ," my father retorted.

"I understand perfectly," my mother said.

Silence.

"I'm going out to work," he said . Shin .

"I hope nothing bad happens at this dinner," he said before leaving.

He left the room.

My mother stared at me.

"Everything will be alright," she said .

"I know a poorly told lie," she said maliciously.

That was not at all reassuring.

"I'll tell the maids to prepare a feast. Then I'll go out to buy clothes," she continued.

She left.

I was left alone.

"Damn it..." I muttered.

(I need to find a fake girlfriend… today.) — I thought desperately.

A colleague from the university was out of the question.

Blackmail, leaks, scandals… anything was possible.

Then, the idea came about.

"— …Rent-a-girlfriend," I murmured .

(They sign contracts. They can't blackmail me.) — I thought confidently.

I picked up my cell phone.

— Let's type "Rent-a-girlfriend services ".*

After a few clicks, I found an agency called Golden.

And that's where I saw her profile.

Confirmed profile: “ Kurokawa Mio”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Polite, kind, perfect for public gatherings.

"It's you," I murmured.

I created an account with the name Otaku-saaan .

(Please, let this work out.) — I wished.

At lunchtime, I was sitting at the dining room table when I heard an excited voice.

Riku -sama , are you alright?

It was Yukino Himari , one of the housemaids.

"Yes, I am," I replied.

She crouched down suddenly, getting... too close.

Very close.

My eyes betrayed my brain.

"Hey... Yukino ... don't do that..." I said, embarrassed.

"Why did you call me by my last name? We've worked here for five years. I'm practically your older sister." She puffed out her cheeks.

"Older sisters don't go around throwing their breasts in their brothers' faces," I said angrily.

— Ara~ — a voice came from behind us.

It was Yukino Akane , her mother.

" Riku-chan , you seem a little sad... would you like to rub your face against my breasts?" she asked.

(These two are impossible.) — I thought.

I stood up and hugged them both.

"You guys are crazy... but I like you," I said with a smile on my face.

Hours later, I went to the agreed-upon coffee shop.

And then I saw her.

Simple dress.

Hair tied up.

Impeccable posture.

She was... too beautiful.

"Is your name Riku ?" he asked , with a professional smile.

(I've seen this girl before…) — I thought.

"Did I make a mistake?" she asked , still sweetly.

"No... I was just distracted," I replied.

We went into the cafeteria.

After placing the orders, she looked at me curiously.

"Can I ask you something?" Mio asked.

— Of course. — I replied.

"When you see me... do I look like someone you know?" she asked me.

(Damn…) — I thought, trying to understand the question.

"I'm sorry, but I can't remember, " I replied, still confused.

She opened her purse.

And he placed something on the table.

A student ID card from Meisei University .

— Look at the name. — Mio asked.

My heart stopped.

Kanzaki …Mio ?

(Wait… Kanzaki walking around campus…) — I thought, already understanding what was happening.

"You're Kanzaki Mio…" I said, shocked.

She stared at me in silence.

And at that moment, I realized:

My fake girlfriend... was my college classmate.

Of all the bad possibilities, this one was definitely at the top.

But... there was a silver lining.

(At least Kanzaki is a rental girlfriend. She wouldn't be stupid enough to break the contract and try to blackmail me.) — I thought, relieved.

I took a deep breath.

"You know you can't blackmail me, right?" I asked her.

She stared at me with a look that was far too cold for someone who, just a few minutes ago, had been smiling professionally.

"Of course I know," he replied without hesitation.

"I warned you beforehand precisely so you wouldn't be surprised when you saw me on campus. Besides... I want to avoid contact with you," she continued.

"Avoiding contact with me just because I'm a little famous?" I asked.

Her face changed instantly.

Mio made a clearly annoyed expression and pointed her finger in my direction.

"I want to concentrate entirely on my studies. And I don't want reporters near me when you're premiering a film or play," she said firmly.

(She says this as if she's already used to this kind of problem…) — I thought.

"I understand..." I murmured.

(She's a real tsundere .) — I thought, she even looks like a completely different person .

"By the way, where's the money?" she continued , holding out her hand.

I was caught off guard.

I took out my wallet and pulled out eighty thousand yen, placing it on the table.

Her eyes widened.

"But... why are you giving me all this?" she asked, surprised.

"Well... I'm going to need a huge favor from you." I swallowed hard.

She frowned.

"Now I'm starting to get worried," she said .

So I told them everything.

About dinner.

Regarding the former director.

About the granddaughter.

About my parents trying to push an arranged relationship.

When I finished, a heavy silence fell between us.

"What?! Are you crazy to introduce me as your girlfriend to your family?! And to your family's friends, no less?!" Mio almost jumped out of her chair.

Without saying anything, I took another twenty thousand yen from my wallet and put it with the money.

"Are you sure you don't want it?" I asked, trying to get her to accept the offer.

She stared at me for several long seconds.

Then he sighed.

"The problem isn't you introducing me as your girlfriend to your family. It's this kind of situation," she said, more calmly.

She looked away for a moment.

"We, rental girlfriends, are used to guys who want to introduce us to their families just to boost their own self-esteem," she explained.

(So I'm not the first idiot.) — I thought.

Without thinking, I held her hands.

She froze.

— H-hey … what are you doing…? — she said, her face flushed.

That's when she realized.

My gaze.

(Damn... I shouldn't show this.) — I thought as I displayed weakness.

"Please... Kanzaki . Help me," I said , unable to hide my fear.

She remained silent.

Then she let out a long sigh, as if surrendering to something inevitable.

"Since there's no other way... I'll help," he said .

My heart raced.

— Seriously?! — I said excitedly.

She smiled without realizing it.

"I'll send you my home address. You can come over tonight," I continued quickly.

"That's right," she said.

She carefully saved the money.

Shortly after, we got up.

Each went their own way.

This is just a favor. Just for today.